Category Archives: Challenges

First I copied the whole passage into my handy-dandy spiral notebook that I carry just about everywhere with me. Writing it by hand is a good tool to help things stick in my brain, and having the verses on hand wherever I am is important for quick brush-ups throughout the day.

I wanted to be memorizing this bit-by-bit, incorporating the discipline into my days instead of setting aside a couple of “power-chunks” of time to commit it to memory. I used to memorize lines for shows and such in power-chunks, and while it works for me, it doesn’t encourage meditation on the Word, which is pretty much the whole point of doing this anyway.

So I found an association and linked working on this with my stretching and core exercises (I use resistance bands and have a simple, gentle routine I do each day to be kind to my back and try to make my tummy pooch out less!). I run over the verses I’m focusing on first two or three times, then lay the notebook on the floor next to me while I do my mini-workout. Saying it out loud also keeps me breathing smoothly while I’m exercising instead of holding my breath which I’m sometimes tempted to do. I’m exercising my body and my spirit at the same time, right?

So far so good on these verses….(I’m typing from memory, but you’ll just have to take my word for it, I suppose):

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above and not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, you also will appear with Him in glory.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed which is idolatry. Because of these the wrath of God is coming.

Like this:

I was listening to an old podcast from Dallas Willard, and he referred to the importance of memorizing scripture…not just verses (although that’s helpful), but passages because there’s so much more to really chew on when you have the whole context in your head like a screenshot.

(BTW, until a year ago I had no idea what a screenshot was. Apparently old dogs can learn new tricks. Woof!)

So I found a passage that I think is pretty amazing (not that there’s much in scripture that isn’t when you start to get hold of it), and I’m challenging myself to memorize it in the month of June. I will post a vlog of my recitation at the end of June so you can see if I reached my goal and hear how the passage has impacted me while I chew on it for four weeks.

Here’s my pick: Colossians 3:1-17

(I’m going with NIV, but I had trouble picking between NIV and NASB.

What’s your preference and why?)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b]7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Wanna join me?

You can memorize, too, or you can tell me you’ll come back in a month to see if I have it down-pat. Either way, you’ll be an encouragement to me…and I like encouragement!